Oakland County reacts to the Pope Benedict XVI resignation

By MEGAN SEMERAZ

Monday, February 11, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation Monday, making him the first pope to do so in 600 years.

The 85-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church announced that he will resign Feb. 28 because of his inability to continue to perform his duties at his age. He made the announcement in Latin during a meeting with Vatican cardinals, the Associated Press reported.

The Rev. Lawrence J. Delonnay of Our Lady of the Lakes in Waterford was surprised to hear of Benedict's resignation.

"He's truly a humble man in a role that doesn't always have humble people in it," Delonnay said. "... It was never about him as pope, it was always for the good of the church."

Delonnay said he hopes the next pope will be prayerful, humble and transparent in their own lifestyle and in their role, they'll have a position of leadership.

Monsignor William Easton of the Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak said he was surprised, but he admires the pope's "humility in taking this step."

"I was surprised, but yet knowing the holy father to be ... someone who thinks things through very clearly, I think he is recognizes the limitations that age brings ... and I think he is allowing the church to continue to grow and develop," Easton said.

Easton is looking for specific qualities in the next pope.

"(I'd like to see) someone who has a deep spiritual life, and a deep faith and an integrity in the teaching of the church," he said. "Someone who has the vitality and strength to lead the church in the coming years."

Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron expressed his "sadness" to hear of the resignation.

"I woke this morning to the very surprising news that Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI is resigning his service as the successor of St. Peter," Vigneron said in a statement. "Quickly after the surprise followed sadness, a sense of grief at losing his fatherly care for all of us, bishops, clergy and faithful."

"Pope Benedict is resigning because he feels his aging could have ill effects on major decisions, like the past pope who was so old, his mental ability and thought process (slowed), especially in the molesting charge decisions ... When you get to that age where your thinking is impaired, then you need to gracefully step down," Rudlaff said.

Benedict's resignation could have been months in the making, according to AP. He had previously said he would step down if he became too old, or infirm to do the job.

Reportedly, the pope has recently been having trouble walking, and his doctor had advised him not to take anymore transatlantic trips.

The Vatican said there is no specific medical condition that prompted his resignation.

A meeting of the College of Cardinals will be held to elect the next pope. This is known as a "conclave." The church anticipates having a new pope before Easter.

There are more than 1.2 billion Catholics across the globe, with more than 75 million living in the United States.

Contact Megan Semeraz at 248-745-4628 or email Megan.Semeraz@oakpress.com or follow her on Twitter @MeganSemeraz. Intern Shannon Coughlin contributed to this report.